The nine-day yearly sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra concluded on Friday with the Niladri Bije rite.

The gods return to their dwellings at the Niladri Bije ceremony. The portrayal of heavenly love and affection between Lord Jagannath and His bride, Goddess Lakshmi, is the most important aspect of this rite.

After “sandhya Dhupa,” the “Niladri Bije” ritual’s procedure began. On each of the three chariots were fixed charamalas. Mudiratha servants performed the “doralagi” rite and presented puspanajali (flower offerings) to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra on their separate chariots. Following the blowing of a bugle by Kahalia servants, Lord Jagannath and His siblings’ Pahandi commenced.

Initially, Mahajan servants transported ancillary deities to Dakshini Ghara on Srimandir grounds in “Goti Pahandi,” including Rama, Krushna from Taladhwaja, and Madan Mohan from Nandighosh. Afterwards, Darpadalana, the chariot of Goddess Subhadra, brought Lord Sudarshan to the shrine.

Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were brought to the jeweled altar (Ratna Bedi) following the Pahandi of Lord Sudarshan. Finally, the pahandi of Lord Jagannath, the cosmic sovereign, occurred.

At Bheta Mandap, the god was placed atop the Dambaru. Mahajana servitors perform this service. Then the deities received offerings from the Patimahapatra servitors, including sandal paste, alati, dhandi prasad, durbakshata, bandapana, dahipati, ghasa, and Bidia.

Goddess Lakshmi received a sacred lamp from Bhitarachha Mahapatra. However, Goddess Lakshmi gave the order to close the temple’s main gate, also known as the Lions’ gate, when she was left alone in the Srimandir during Lord Jagannath and His brothers’ yearly absence. Nevertheless, the Lions’ Gate opened as Lord Jagannath approached it.
After that, Lord Jagannath was brought to Jagamohana via Baisi Pahacha, Sata Pahacha, Ananda Bazaar, and Bhitara Bedha.

Already enraged, Goddess Lakshmi shut the Jaya-Bijaya door. She was upset with Lord Jagannath for not bringing Her along for the yearly trip.

The ritual’s beauty started to reveal itself. The Devadasi (women servants) speaking for Lakshmi and the Badagrahi Daitas, along with other Daitapatis speaking for Lord Jagannath, got into a verbal exchange.

Afterwards, Goddess Lakshmi received an assurance from Lord Jagannath that He wouldn’t do it again. Goddess Lakshmi then gave the order to let Him through the Jaya-Bijay portals. When they finally arrived close to the storehouse, Goddess Lakshmi turned to face the south and Lord Jagannath to the north, exchanging glances. After tying the wedding knot, the Bhittarchha servants presented Bandapana. Lord Jagannath provided Her Rasagollas to appease His better half.

The Daitas and Patimahapatra servants then presented sandal paste as Lord Jagannath and His siblings were crowned on the jewelled altar.

The Niladri Bije rite ended with the removal of charamala by Kothasuansia servitors from the elaborately decorated altar, closing the curtains on the nine-day yearly retreat.